CHAPTER 5PRESTIGECLASSES130raptorans to observe the tenets <strong>of</strong> the pact has cooledsomewhat over the centuries. The average raptoran doesn’t<strong>of</strong>ten think about the race’s pact with the air elementals.Most raptorans don’t consider the pact an active concernbut a historical event, and those same individuals largelysee the skypledged as followers <strong>of</strong> an esoteric mysticism.Raptorans don’t treat a skypledged any better than theywould treat a member <strong>of</strong> another class. They have a startingattitude <strong>of</strong> indifferent.The skypledged have at least something in common withone another, even if their alignments and flock affiliationsare at odds. Two skypledged who meet have a starting attitudetoward one another one step more favorable than wouldotherwise be the case.Creatures native to the Elemental Plane <strong>of</strong> Air have astarting attitude <strong>of</strong> friendly toward skypledged. It’s rarefor Material Plane creatures to understand elementalaffairs, and rarer still for others to pledge service to anelemental ideal.Creatures native to other elemental planes have a startingattitude <strong>of</strong> unfriendly if they know they’re interacting witha skypledged.If a raptoran is known to be a pledgebreaker, the attitudes<strong>of</strong> Inner Plane natives are reversed. The powers <strong>of</strong> earth,fire, and water will be eager to talk to someone who hasspurned the air, but natives <strong>of</strong> the Elemental Plane <strong>of</strong> Airwill suspect treachery, or at least untrustworthiness, froma pledgebreaker.SKYPLEDGED LORECharacters with Knowledge (the planes) can research theskypledged to learn more about them. When a charactermakes a skill check, read or paraphrase the following material,including the information from lower DCs.DC 10: “The skypledged? They’re raptoran air-elementspellcasters.”DC 15: “The skypledged are so called because they’vepromised to aid the Elemental Plane <strong>of</strong> Air if it’s attacked.In the meantime, they can draw spell power from the plane,and they’re really good at summoning air elementals.”DC 20: “Most skypledged can cast both cleric and druidspells, and many have a powerful air elemental at their beckand call. They can control the wind itself.”DC 30: Characters who achieve this level <strong>of</strong> success canlearn important details about specific skypledged in thecampaign.PCs who wish to contact a skypledged must first locate araptoran tribe. Once they have established contact withthe tribe, a successful DC 20 Diplomacy check convincesthe raptorans to identify one among their number (if any)as a skypledged.SKYPLEDGED IN THE GAMEA skypledged PC doesn’t place any unusual demands on theDM, because the skypledged organization doesn’t demandmuch from its members. Unless you’re planning a planarcampaign where the Elemental Plane <strong>of</strong> Air is threatened,the elemental lords that created the raptoran pact will neverdemand anything from the skypledged.A skypledged PC will want to use her beckon abilitiesfrom time to time, so the adventures you create should havesome outdoor encounters. In addition, like any DM with araptoran PC at the table, you’ll quickly become adept at theaerial maneuverability rules (described on page 20 <strong>of</strong> theDungeon Master’s Guide).AdaptationAs written, the prestige class reflects an important event inraptoran history: the pact with the air elementals. It can alsoserve as a model for any spellcasting prestige class that haspledged itself to an extraplanar power. If you alter the classin this way, you can leave the spellpool class feature intactand develop new abilities to replace the beckon and cyclonicdoom class features.EncountersEncounters with the skypledged <strong>of</strong>ten feature a mix <strong>of</strong> druidand cleric magic. They frequently incorporate air elementals,whether summoned or there as allies.EL 8: Jantril Sestriin, the star chief <strong>of</strong> the Rifinti flock(see page 82), is a recent adherent to the skypledged waywho delights in flying high over enemies, then summoningcreatures to do the actual fighting for her.Jantril Sestriin, Skypledged Initiate: Female raptorandruid 7/skypledged 1; CR 8; Medium humanoid(raptoran); HD 7d8+14 plus 1d6+2; hp 54; Init +2; Spd30 ft., fly 40 ft. (average); AC 15, touch 12, flat-footed 13;Base Atk +5; Grp +6; Atk or Full Atk +7 melee (1d8+1/×3,masterwork spear) or +8 ranged (1d8+2/×3, +1 footbow); SAspells; SQ animal companion, animal companion benefits,divine spellpool I, raptoran traits, resist nature’s lure,skypledge, trackless step, wild empathy +6 (+2 magicalbeasts), wild shape 3/day, woodland stride; AL N; SV Fort+7, Ref +6, Will +11; Str 12, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis18, Cha 8.Skills and Feats: Climb +3, Concentration +8, Jump +11,Listen +15, Spellcraft +5, Spot +17, Survival +17; AugmentSummoning, Martial Weapon Pr<strong>of</strong>iciency (footbow), SpellFocus (conjuration).Languages: Common, Druidic, Tuilvilanuue.Animal Companion (Ex): Jantril has a dire wolf as acompanion. The companion’s abilities and characteristicsare summarized on page 65 <strong>of</strong> the Monster Manual.Animal Companion Benefits: Jantril and her dire wolfenjoy the link and share spells special qualities.Link (Ex): Jantril can handle her wolf as a free action. She alsogains a +4 circumstance bonus on all wild empathy checks andHandle Animal checks made regarding her companion.Share Spells (Ex): Jantril can have any spell she casts onherself also affect her animal companion if the latter is within
5 feet at the time. She can also cast a spell with a target <strong>of</strong>“You” on her animal companion.Divine Spellpool I (Su): Whenever Jantril has open,unused spell slots <strong>of</strong> 1st, 2nd, or 3rd level, she can call up tothree total levels <strong>of</strong> spells (from the cleric or druid list) to gointo those slots. It takes a full-round action to do so, and thespell or spells remain available for 1 minute.Spells with the fire, earth, or water descriptor areunavailable. Jantril must repay her spellpool debt within1 day; doing so is a full-round action. Repaying the debtdepletes a combination <strong>of</strong> prepared spells whose totallevels is equal to that <strong>of</strong> the spells previously called fromthe spellpool.Raptoran Traits: Raptorans can glide at a speed <strong>of</strong> 40 feet,with average maneuverability. Raptorans have an unerringsense <strong>of</strong> direction and always know which way is north. Araptoran spellcaster gains +1 caster level for air spells. Jantrilcan fly for 2 rounds at no penalty, or for 4 rounds at the cost <strong>of</strong>becoming fatigued. A flying raptoran can make a dive attack(as a charge, but must fly at least 30 feet, descend at least 10feet, and use a piercing weapon to deal double damage ona hit).Resist Nature’s Lure (Ex): Jantril gains a +4 bonus onsaving throws against the spell-like abilities <strong>of</strong> fey.Skypledge: Jantril won’t cast any spell with the fire,water, or earth descriptor. Spell completion and spell triggeritems that reproduce fire, water, or earth effects arenot prohibited.Trackless Step (Ex): Jantril leaves no trail in naturalsurroundings and cannot be tracked.<strong>Wild</strong> Shape (Su): Jantril can change into a Small to Mediumanimal and back again, as per the polymorph spell. This abilitylasts for 7 hours or until she changes backWoodland Stride (Ex): Jantril can move throughnatural thorns, briars, overgrown areas, and similar terrainat her normal speed and without damage or otherimpairment. However, thorns, briars, and overgrown areasthat are magically manipulated to impede motion stillaffect her.Spells Prepared (caster level 8th): 0—cure minor wounds(DC 14), detect magic (2), guidance (DC 14), light, readmagic; 1st—cure light wounds (DC 15), endure elements (DC15), entangle (DC 15), speak with animals, one open slot;2nd—barkskin, bear’s endurance (DC 16), lesser restoration(DC 16), resist energy (DC 16); 3rd—call lightning (DC 17),cure moderate wounds (DC 17), wind wall (caster level 9th;DC 17), one open slot; 4th—cure serious wounds (DC 18),dispel magic, ice storm.Possessions: +1 leather armor, masterwork spear, +1 footbow(+1 Str bonus) with 20 arrows, periapt <strong>of</strong> Wisdom +2, scroll <strong>of</strong>call lightning storm, scroll <strong>of</strong> flame strike.ADVANCED LARGE AIR ELEMENTALThis air elemental is typical <strong>of</strong> those received through askypledged’s servant supplication class feature. It is a 15 HDversion <strong>of</strong> the one found on page 95 <strong>of</strong> the Monster Manual.Large Air Elemental: CR 7; Large elemental (air,extraplanar); HD 15d8+45; hp 112; Init +11; Spd fly 100ft. (perfect); AC 20, touch 16, flat-footed 13; Base Atk +11;Grp +17; Atk +18 melee (2d6+2, slam); Full Atk +18 melee(2d6+2, 2 slams); SA air mastery, whirlwind; SQ damagereduction 5/—, darkvision 60 ft., elemental traits; AL N;SV Fort +8, Ref +16, Will +5; Str 15, Dex 25, Con 16, Int6, Wis 11, Cha 11.Skills and Feats: Listen +9, Spot +9; Combat Reflexes, Dodge,Flyby Attack, Improved Initiative, Mobility, Spring Attack,Weapon Finesse, Weapon Focus (slam).Air Mastery (Ex): Airborne creatures take a –1 penalty onattack and damage rolls against an air elemental.Whirlwind (Su): This elemental can transform itself into awhirlwind once every 10 minutes for up to 7 rounds at a time.The whirlwind is 5 feet wide at the base, 30 feet wide at thetop, and 40 feet tall. Medium or smaller creatures take 2d6points <strong>of</strong> damage per round in the whirlwind (Reflex DC19 negates).A second Reflex save at the same DC is required to avoidbeing picked up by the winds. Creatures in the whirlwindtake a –4 penalty to Dexterity and a –2 penalty on attack rolls.A creature that can fly is allowed a Reflex save each round toescape the whirlwind.If the base <strong>of</strong> the whirlwind touches the ground, the whirlingdebris creates a 20-foot-diameter cloud centered on thewhirlwind. The cloud obscures all vision, including darkvision,beyond 5 feet. Creatures 5 feet away have concealment,while those farther away have total concealment.STORMTALON“Fear nothing! Death from the sky!”—Austriesha, stormtalon captainThe stormtalons are consummate aerial warriors, using boththeir weapons and their razor-sharp foot talons to dive ontheir hapless foes. They are elite protectors <strong>of</strong> the raptoranrace, sent by the high chieftain whenever a raptoran flockis in trouble.BECOMING A STORMTALONBecoming a stormtalon means joining the raptoran equivalent<strong>of</strong> the military. Recruits are tested for combat prowessbefore admission into the ranks <strong>of</strong> the stormtalons, so fighters,paladins, rangers, and barbarians get into the prestigeclass easiest. The latter two classes find the stormtalon classparticularly appealing because they don’t wear heavy armoranyway and will be able to fly unencumbered.Entry RequirementsRace: Raptoran.Base Attack Bonus: +5.Special: Flight extraordinary ability.CHAPTER 5PRESTIGECLASSES131
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C R E D I T SD E S I G NSKIP WILLIA
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no elf could predict which memory w
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premium. Thus, each individual can
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The elves have raised one form of e
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do spend time away from one another
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espects during this time, and those
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Stores Master: Charged with keeping
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would be the birthright of any full
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of feet above the forest floor. Mos
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Cleric Training: More than any othe
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ELF HISTORYAND FOLKLOREThe elves cl
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along with her son Hionyron, who wa
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and return her to her people.” In
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Table 1-3: Suffixesd% Suffix Meanin
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CHAPTER 1ELVES34tri-level tree home
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Illus. by C. Lukacsurious and activ
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the reason for the farmer’s hospi
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Halflings make a visitor feel welco
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Halflings are usually pleasant trav
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Halflings are as eager to experienc
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A chief or elder heads each clan, c
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CHAPTER 2HALFLINGS50away from their
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CHAPTER 2HALFLINGS52Illus. by S. Wo
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CHAPTER 2HALFLINGS54to tell how lon
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CHAPTER 2HALFLINGS56the underbrush
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CHAPTER 2HALFLINGSIllus. by T. Baxa
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CHAPTER 2HALFLINGS60Donta muden sit
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and one or more bedrooms. All have
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Illus. by C. Lukacshe cliff-dwellin
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Personality: Raptorans have a reput
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PSYCHOLOGYSome outsiders who have h
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for making a point through a logica
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flock for debate, sometimes invitin
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its eggs. At such times, they toler
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THE RAPTORAN PANTHEONThe typical ra
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CHAPTER 8CAMPAIGNS INTHE WILDIllus.
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CHAPTER 8CAMPAIGNS INTHE WILD182(lo
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CHAPTER 8CAMPAIGNS INTHE WILD184Ski
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CHAPTER 8CAMPAIGNS INTHE WILDIllus.
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APPENDIX19261 Guards are needed to
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2THE CLIFFThe Rifinti dwelling lies
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supplies for craftwork. Lamps fuele
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Nae’fidrim: Female owl companion;
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Creatures: A cleric is always on du
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cloak of elvenkind, oil of magic we
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aptoran contraries. If visitors can